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Katie Bickell

Katie Bickell

Author, Ghostwriter, Instructor, Manuscript Consultant

Mentorship Offerings

Award-winning author Katie Bickell regularly offers mentorship to emerging writers through both manuscript consultation and workshop facilitation. She is also available to speak at events and visit book clubs.

Please read below to learn more about these services.

Meet the Teacher

Katie Bickell emigrated from England to northern Alberta in 1990. Her first novel, Always Brave, Sometimes Kind, was released in 2020. Since then, she has professionally written two ghostwritten memoirs, Vertical Lift: A Help-Pilot’s Mission for Freedom, Family, and Success (2022) and Life in Repair: One Mechanic’s Path to Prosperity and Purpose (2024). She is currently penning her sophomore novel, Alskling.

Katie’s work has received several awards, including the Alberta Literary Award’s 2020 Georges Bugnet Award for Fiction, the Alberta Literary Award’s Howard O’Hagan for Short Story, The WGA’s Emerging Writer Award, The Alberta Views Fiction Prize, The Voices of Motherhood Essay Contest, two Alberta Foundation of the Arts Individual Artists Grants, and a Canadian Council of the Arts Grant. In 2024, Katie served as Metro Edmonton Federation of Library’s Regional Writer in Residence for the communities of Strathcona County and St. Albert, and she has served as a Mentor in both the Writers Guild of Alberta’s Mentorship Program, and Alexandra Writer’s Society’s Story Maker program.

Manuscript Consultation

Specializing in short fiction, award-winning author Katie Bickell appreciates the artist’s dedication to brevity while pursuing character and plot development, and offers substantive and stylistic manuscript edits to reflect these values. Substantive editing involves editing the structure/architecture of the work (macro issues of organization, including chapters, parts, openings, closings, transitions, etc.) as well as a stylistic edit (micro issues at a sentence level, looking at clarity, flow, and language).

Whether submitting a single short story or a collection, the author will receive a marked-up document from Katie to use while they perform revisions. Katie and the author will also meet either in-person or over Zoom to discuss the work and brainstorm solutions following the service, going through the edits page by page. Best of all – there’s no cap on time for this. A story takes however long it takes.

Please contact Katie to receive a quote on your project. References from former manuscript consultation projects available.

Contact Katie

Workshops


Creative Writing

Story Deconstruction: Exploring Tone

Explore the use of literary tone through the deconstructing Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery. Using this classic text as a jumping off point, author Katie Bickell will offer tips to students on how to effectively incorporate tone in their own work. Participants are expected to read the short story prior to class and participate in friendly conversation on the text and about writing tone following the lecture.

The details:

  • Zoom-based or in-person workshop presented with a live slideshow
  • Required reading can be found for free online
  • The workshop is approximately 1.5-2 hours long
Book Workshop now

Creative Writing

Story Deconstruction: Exploring The Unreliable Narrator 

Explore crafting ‘The Unreliable Narrator’ by deconstructing Charlotte Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpaper. Using this classic text as a jumping off point, author Katie Bickell will offer tips on using the technique of The Unreliable Narrator in their own work. Participants are expected to read the short story prior to class and participate in friendly conversation on the text and on the writing subject following the lecture.

The details:

  • Zoom-based or in-person workshop presented with a live slideshow
  • Required reading can be found for free online
  • The workshop is approximately 1.5-2 hours long
Book Workshop now

Creative Writing

Story Deconstruction: Exploring Third Person Objective Point of View 

Explore the use of third person objective point of view by deconstructing Ernest Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants.” Using this classic text as a jumping off point, author Katie Bickell will offer tips on writing in Third Person Point of View. Participants are expected to read the short story prior to class and participate in friendly conversation on the text and on the writing subject following the lecture.

The details:

  • Zoom-based or in-person workshop presented with a live slideshow
  • Required reading can be found for free online
  • The workshop is approximately 1.5-2 hours long
Book Workshop now

Creative Writing

Story Deconstruction: Exploring Second Person Point of View

Explore writing in the second person point of view by deconstructing Margaret Atwood’s “Bread”. Using this classic text as a jumping off point, author Katie Bickell will offer tips on writing in Second Person Point of View. Participants are expected to read the short story prior to class and participate in friendly conversation on the text and on the writing subject following the lecture.

The details:

  • Zoom-based or in-person workshop presented with a live slideshow
  • Required reading can be found for free online
  • The workshop is approximately 1.5-2 hours long
Book Workshop now

Creative Writing

Less is More: A Six-Week Short Fiction Lab

There’s no one way to craft a short story, but there are tried-and-true ways to organize, furnish, and enrich it. In this six-week course, author Katie Bickell will show writers how to apply those various techniques to their own story, as they develop it in class. Through lectures, group discussions, and activities, she’ll guide each of them from conception to early draft editing, along the way learning how to improve their work’s themes, subtext, plot, character development, story architecture, and the writer’s own relationship to creativity.

This is an interactive course designed for emerging literary fiction writers in the pre-publication or early publication stages of their career. 

Each workshop is also available to be taught as a stand-alone workshop.

Workshops included:

  • Intro to Literary Fiction & Character-Driven Fiction
  • Change is Good: Plot Arcs and External Conflict
  • Searching for Meaning: Theme and Literary Devices that Support Theme
  • Where’s the Action? Story Pacing, Transitions, Narrative Devices, and Flow
  • Kindness and the Creative Process: Overcoming Procrastination, Writer’s Block, and the Inner Critic
  • Small Details Make the Big Picture: Editing Tips

The details:

  • 6 zoom-based or in-person workshops presented with a live slideshows
  • All required reading can be found for free online
  • Each workshop is approximately 1.5-2 hours long
Book Workshop now

Creative Writing

Mindfulness & Memoir

The key to great writing is to ‘show, don’t tell.’ In this workshop, participants are guided through a series of mindful writing prompts designed to incorporate the five senses into a memoir, poetry, or fiction project. This is an interactive class and participants should be prepared to both write and gather easy-to-find materials prior to the workshop.

The details:

  • Zoom-based workshop presented with a live slideshow
  • The workshop can be tailored to fit 1-3 hour time slot
  • Student participation and story sharing required (not applicable for 1-hour workshop length)
Book Workshop now

Creative Writing

Capturing Memories: A Memoir & Ghostwriting Workshop

Learn to craft compelling personal narratives with author Katie Bickell. This workshop explores essential techniques for memoirs or ghostwriting: interviewing and structuring outlines, leveraging technology for a seamless writing process, and the delicate balance of what to include and exclude. Learn to navigate the nuanced art of documenting lived events with discretion and honesty.

The details:

  • Zoom-based workshop presented with a live slideshow
  • The workshop can be tailored to fit a 2 hour time slot
Book Workshop now

Creative Writing

For Children: Main Character Creation

Perfect for kiddos in grades 4-7, students are invited to creating a unique main character in this fun workshop. Participants will learn the difference between “flat” and “rounded” characters in fiction, and then develop their own hero (or villain) through a series of creative exercises. Expect to write, draw, interview a figment of the imagination, and have a lot of fun!

The details:

  • Zoom-based or in-person workshop presented with a live slideshow
  • The workshop is approximately 1.5 hours long
Book Workshop now

Creative Writing

Packing a Punch: Big Stories in Small Spaces

Learn how to craft powerful narratives in as few words as possible from an award-winning short story writer. Working from a collective prompt, students will workshop a piece of flash fiction into a succinct-but-rich tale using a variety of tools. This course has been successfully featured in numerous libraries and for such groups as Alexandra Writer’s Centre Society, The Writer’s Guild of Alberta, and Pandemic University.

The details:

  • Zoom-based workshop presented with a live slideshow
  • The workshop can be tailored to fit 1-3 hour time slots
  • Students should expect to leave the course with a polished piece of flash fiction, as well as a list of flash fiction markets open to submissions
  • Student participation and story sharing required (not applicable for 1-hour workshop length)
Book Workshop now

Creative Writing

When You Just Don’t Wanna: Tips for the Lazy Writer

Some call it writer’s block, others call it a lack of motivation. Either way, every writer sometimes struggles to get their butt in the seat. This lighthearted course will cover several ways to trick your brain and seduce the muse, even when tapping keys feels like pulling teeth. This course has been successfully featured in the past through Alexandra Writer’s Centre Society.

Motivational Tips Include:

  • The 50/10 Method
  • Dressing the Part
  • Timer Tracking
  • Scenery Switching
  • Silencing Software
  • Writing Blind
  • Dictation
  • Shouting it Out

The Details:

  • Zoom-based class presented with a live slideshow
  • The class can be tailored to fit 1-2 hour time slots
  • Students can expect to receive a Lazy Writer’s Tip Sheet and to share a few laughs
Book Workshop Now

Career Workshops

The High School Resume

A professional resume writer, Katie Bickell helps students craft a work-winning document from start to finish by teaching foundational information and tips & tricks, as well as providing advice as to what to put on the cover letter, and how to prepare for the interview. This course has been a hit in high school CALM classes!

The Details:

  • Zoom-based class presented with a live slideshow
  • Class can be tailored to fit time slot of 30 – 75 minutes with time for student questions
Book Workshop now

Career Workshop

How to Get Published

Unlock the secrets to getting published with this career workshop hosted by Katie Bickell. New writers will learn the ins-and-outs of how to submit to literary journals, agents and traditional publishing houses, while also gaining deeper understanding on author rights and literary scams.

The Details:

  • Zoom-based class presented with a live slideshow
  • The interactive class can be tailored to fit 1.5 hour time slot with time for student questions
Book Workshop now

Career Workshop

The Job Seeker’s Guide to Success

A professional resume writer for more than 10 years, Katie Bickell helps students craft a work-winning document from start to finish by teaching foundational information and tips & tricks. Also included: the difference between a resume and CV, formats needed for uploading documents to online job banks using automatic tracking systems, what to put on the cover letter, and how to prepare for the interview.

The Details:

  • Zoom-based class presented with a live slideshow
  • The interactive class can be tailored to fit 1 hour – 1.5 hour time slot with student questions
  • Students can expect to receive a comprehensive checklist to map their job search journey as easily as possible.
Book Workshop now

Career Workshop

Building Your Literary Resume

Often immersed in a culture outside of the traditional workforce, many artists don’t think about their resumes until either grant season or until the perfect position becomes available.

Both an author and professional resume tutor, Katie Bickell has written CVs for writers, filmmakers, editors, publishing agents, and visual artists, and has witnessed firsthand the self-doubt that can occur as these professionals try to sum the wealth of their skill, experience, and credentials into only a couple pages – and often at high stake in a highly competitive environment. This workshop provides practical advice on how to showcase your artistic achievements and potential, regardless of what stage of career you are in.

In this workshop, Katie breaks down The Literary Resume section by section (including overall graphic design), answering the most common questions she receives regarding this topic:

  • What is the difference between a resume & a CV, and which one do I need?
  • Are gaps in work history okay?
  • How do I narrow down my publication list?
  • Should I include my employment outside of the arts sector?
  • How should I explain upcoming gigs or obligations?
  • Can I still list the experience if it wasn’t paid?

The Details:

  • Zoom-based class presented with a live slideshow
  • The interactive class can be tailored to fit a 1.5 hour time slot with student questions
  • All students will receive a handy tip sheet to reference as they create their own artistic CVs.
Book Workshop Now

Searching for a Speaker?

Aside from leading workshops, Katie regularly makes appearances as a speaker, reader, or featured author. Please get in touch if she can help you with any of the following events.

  • Workshop facilitation
  • Author readings
  • Book club visits (no fee for private book clubs)
  • Reader Q&As
  • Panel member/panel moderator
  • Event emceeing
  • Convocation keynotes

Book a Workshop or Speaking Event

Please use the form below to connect with author Katie Bickell.

Form not working? email katie (at) alwaysbravecreative (dot) ca.

    katiebickell

    Visit me on instagram!

    Everywhere I’ve gone today, people have held arm Everywhere I’ve gone today, people have held armfuls of spring bouquets. As I bought my own mama flowers, the lady wrapping them told me that folks were waiting at the door for them at 7AM. We both laughed and agreed that was a beautiful thing - this day’s urgency to properly love ‘the moms.’ By chance, my mom was in town and we were able to grab brunch before her lovely husband snapped this photo of us, she and I looking as though we could be standing with our teenage selves, our mini me’s. How lucky I feel to mother and be mothered today. #happymothersday
    Our CailyBaby is 16 years old today. Baby Girl, yo Our CailyBaby is 16 years old today. Baby Girl, you are simply extraordinary and loved beyond measure. Your dad and I couldn’t be more proud and thankful that out of all the wonderful daughters in the world, you are ours. And how did that sweet little baby grow up so fast and become one of my very best friends? I’m so excited to see you grow further into the woman you will be, Sweetheart 💝 The world is yours for the taking.
    Exploring the southshore’s ice breaks on a snows Exploring the southshore’s ice breaks on a snowshoe date and gathering setting inspiration for the next draft of Alskling ✨ ❄️ 🧊 I wish my phone could capture the true blues and the clarity of seeing this in person, but it didn’t so the near-true filter will have to do.
    It’s December 26, early morning. The house is st It’s December 26, early morning. The house is stirring with the sounds of young people preparing to hunt Boxing Day sales, the indignant cries of a cat - now indoors - who regrets her choice to have spent the prior evening under the holiday sky, and the soft snores of a granddad asleep on the couch. My husband has brought me coffee in bed, and the remains of a feast will last our family into the next week. Savouring it all, this first Christmas season both of our children have enjoyed as teens. We made it. The wonderful, wild, exhausting, exhilarating, magical merriment-making is over, and peace takes its place ✌️

Photo: Christmas Dinner, December 25th 2024, 7pm.
    Christmas Eve and Morning, 2024 Merry Christmas E Christmas Eve and Morning, 2024

Merry Christmas Everyone! 🎄 🎅 ✨

(Excuse the stickers on certain photos, I don’t have permission to post them without!)
    Enjoying music at home and at the Winspear Centre Enjoying music at home and at the Winspear Centre on December 23rd 🎻 🎄
    Banff 2024 Photo Dump. Celebrated our 16th anniver Banff 2024 Photo Dump. Celebrated our 16th anniversary, Freddy’s 43rd birthday, my residency wrap-up, and a little bit of Christmas in a 36 hour turn around. Loved roaming the top of Sulphur Mountain, wept with fear the whole way up and down on the gondola 🚠
    Just can’t shake this kid. #momofteens #workin Just can’t shake this kid. 

#momofteens #workinglunch #ItsLikeYoureObsessedWithMe (kidding xo)
    What a wonderful time it was to meet as a communit What a wonderful time it was to meet as a community of writers last night! Ready for the next Story Deconstruction session, featuring author @lesliegreentree, “The Yellow Wallpaper”, and The Unreliable Narrator technique? Register today, link in bio.
#sherwoodpark @sc_library #metrowir #writerinresidence #strathconacountylibrary #writersofsherwoodpark #shortstory #regionalwir
    Had a great time connecting with #stalbert and are Had a great time connecting with #stalbert and area writers at @stalbertlibrary last night! Thanks for the great turn out and the warm welcome 🥰

 #metrowriterinresidence #stalbertlife #saintcitywriters #librariesrock #authorsofinstagram #writingworkshop
    Valentines Day 2014, I walked into my first appoin Valentines Day 2014, I walked into my first appointment with @sc_library’s writer in residence, Margaret Macpherson (@writingmargaret), not really certain of what a writer-in-residence was. 

A decade later, a lot of hard work, and a little luck, and I’m helping emerging writers get their footing in the same way she helped me.

For me, it all started with that first visit: the moment my interest turned into a career. How about you? Set up an appointment to meet: regionalwir@gmail.com

What’s the best that could happen?

#valentinesday2024 #valentinesday2014 #beforeandafter #skiptothegoodpart #mentorshipmatters
    Today was a big day, 20 years in the making! Thank Today was a big day, 20 years in the making! Thank you @canadaslifeline #itsinyoutogive #firsttimedonor #blooddonor #lifegoals #IAmNotAMadCow
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